Capture of Columbus, Kentucky-- Part 2: A Brilliant Strategy

The powerful fort, thought by many to be impregnable, had fallen without a struggle.

Brigadier General Cullom wrote:  "Columbus, the Gibraltar of the West, is ours and Kentucky is free, thanks to the brilliant strategy of the campaign, by which the enemy's center was pierced at Forts Henry and Donelson, his wings isolated from each other and turned, compelling thus the evacuation of the strongholds at Bowling Green first and now Columbus."

--Old B-R'er

February 16, 1862: Fort Donelson Surrenders

FEBRUARY 16TH, 1862:  Fort Donelson surrendered to General Grant on February 16.  Major General Lew Wallis, speaking of the renewed gunboat support on 15 February, summed up the substantial role of the gunboats in the victory:  "I recollect yet the positive pleasure the sounds [naval gunfire] gave me...the obstinacy and courage of the Commodore...."

Was the attack "of assistance to us?  I don't think there is room to question it.  It distracted the enemy's attention, and I fully believe it was the gunboats ... that operated to prevent a general movement of the rebels up the river or across it.  , the night before the surrender."

Coming quickly after the fall of Fort Henry, the capture of Fort Donelson by a combined operation had a heavy impact on both sides.  News of the fall of Fort Donelson created great excitement in New Orleans where the press placed much blame on Secretary of Navy Mallory because "we are so wretchedly helpless on the water."

With their positions in Kentucky now untenable, the Confederates had to withdraw, assuring thatstate to the Union.  On the Mississippi, Confederate forces fell back on Island No. 10.  Nashville could not be held, and the Union armies were poised to sweep down into the heart of theSouth.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, October 26, 1861: CSS Sumter Destroys Another American Ship

OCTOBER 26TH, 1861:  The USS Conestoga, Lt. S.L. phelps, transported Union troops to Eddyville, Kentucky, for an attack on Confederate cavalry at Saratoga.

**  The CSS Sumter, Commander Semmes, captured and burned the American schooner Trowbridge in the Atlantic after removing a five months' supply of provisions.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, October 7, 1861: Action in Kentucky and Virginia

OCTOBER 7TH, 1861:  The USS Tyler, Commander Walke, and USS Lexington, Commander Stembl, exchanged fire with Confederate batteries at Iron Bluffs, near Columbus, Kentucky.

**  The USS Louisiana, Lt. A. Murray, captured schooner S.T. Garrison with cargo of wood, near Wallops Island, Virginia.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, September 16, 1861: The Conestoga Captures Steamers on Cumberland River

SEPTEMBER 16TH, 1861:  The USS Conestoga, Lt. S.L. Phelps, captured Confederate steamers V.R. Stephenson and Gazelle on the Cumberland River, Kentucky.

Old B-R'er

155 Years Ago: Grant Makes A Move on the Rivers

SEPTEMBER 6TH, 1861:  Gunboats USS Tyler, Commander J. Rodgers, and USS Lexington, Commander Stembel, spearheaded operations by which General Grant, in his first move after taking command at Cairo, seized strategic Pudacah and Smithland, Kentucky, at the mouth of the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers.

Captain Foote, newly designated commander in the west, participated in the operation.

This initial use of strength afloat by Grant, aimed at countering a Confederate move into the state, helped preserve Kentucky for the Union, and foreshadowed the general's great reliance on naval mobility and support throughout the campaigns that divided the Confederacy and eventually placed the entire Mississippi under Union control.

--Old B-Runner

Action Along the Cumberland River

APRIL 29TH, 1865:  Acting Master W.C. Coulson, commanding the USS Moose on the Cumberland River, led a surprise attack on a Confederate raiding party, numbering about 200 troops from Brigadier general Abraham Buford's command.

The raiders, under the command of a Major Hopkins, were crossing the Cumberland River to sack and burn Eddyville, Kentucky.  Coulson sank two troop laden boats with battery gunfire and then put a landing party ashore which engaged the remaining Confederates.

This landing force dispersed the detachment after killing or wounding 20 men, taking 6 captives, and capturing 22 horses.

ALSO ON APRIL 29TH:  The USS Donegal was ordered to cruise from Bull's Bay, S.C., to the Savannah River in search of the CSS Stonewall.

--Old B-R'er